the so-called fiscal cliff. president obama and house speaker john boehner spoke by phone for the first time in days. no details on that conversation. the two sides are at a state mail over raising attacks on incomes over $250,000. an international news alert. there are fears that the syrian government is getting ready to drop a nerve gas on his own people. the gas is being mixed in bombs for potential use. as ainsley earhart reports, the united states is promising consequences for the gas is excused against the syrian people. >> reporter: it appears there has been an alarming escalation in the syrian civil war, the country's government preparing nerve gas bombs and awaiting the orders from president assad to use them. u.s. officials relying on surveillance said there was no evidence that this had begun. >> we have sent an up mistakeable message that this would cross a red line and those responsible would be held to account. >> reporter: a senior u.s. official telling fox the gas bombs must be used within 60 day